Shelby Gardeners Club to host presentation on bees

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Bees are an important part of nature and keeping flowers happy, and there is a lot to learn about making the bees happy too.

At 1 p.m. April 11 at the Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center, 4101 River Bends Drive, the Shelby Gardeners Club will be hosting presenter Kerry Wysocki, who will bring many products from her hives and garden to supplement her talk, “Let’s Bee Friends.”

Wysocki is an apiarist raising bees in the suburbs. She will bring items for sale from her hive and garden and share tips on how to care for bees.

Wysocki said that nine years ago, she was in her backyard on a beautiful fall day and sat silently immersed in the sounds and smells of nature when she realized that she had never seen a honeybee on her property while gardening. 

“Bumblebees, hornets and yellow jackets for sure, but not the hardworking Apis mellifera. I set out to learn what I could that winter by reading books, watching YouTube videos and attending our local bee club meetings. I started that spring with one hive at home. My garden blooms exploded, and Fat Bottomed Girl Honey was born. The company name was inspired by a favorite song. ‘Who runs the hive?’ Beyonce has it correct, females. Not just any female, a Queen. I was now hooked and went down the rabbit hole headfirst,” she said.

She currently has 35 overwintered hives in five locations.  

“I am an instructor and mentor for SEMBA (South Eastern Michigan Beekeepers Association) at their Bowers School Farm location. I am the Bowers School Farm beekeeper. I am a vendor at the Saturday (7am-1pm) Royal Oak Farmers Market,” she said.

She serves on the state Michigan Beekeepers Association board as a district representative and is the past president of the Oakland Beekeepers Club. 

She said all these organizations have community outreach as part of their mission statements, which affords her many opportunities to speak publicly on all things bee.  

Cheryl Sypniewski, the president of the Shelby Gardeners Club, said that as the Shelby Gardeners start planning for spring, it’s always a priority to do what they can to enhance Heritage Garden on the township’s municipal campus and create an environment that is conducive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Ivy Schwartz, the Shelby Gardeners Club publicist, said that the club members are looking forward to having Wysocki share her insights and enthusiasm about bees and their benefits. 

“In light of increasing grocery prices, environmental concerns and health awareness, residents are ready to nurture their gardens and yards for food and pollinators. The term ‘yarden’ merges the garden with the yard, an ecosystem of nutritious plants, beneficial insects and healthy green spaces,” she said.

Space at the Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center is limited to the first 40 guests. A $5 fee is appreciated to help support the club’s community programs.

For further information, contact Schwartz at (586) 873-3782, email ShelbyT wpGardenClub@gmail.com or visit shelbytwp.org/communityserviceorganizations/shelbygardenersclub.